Eddie Motorsports S.Drive - One-Belt Big-Block

Installing The EMS S.Drive serpentine pulley system for big-blocks.

Sometimes finding a matching set of V-belt pulleys and brackets for a big-block can be a bit difficult. Fortunately, the aftermarket has toed the line and offers kits for all the front drive accessories. Eddie Motorsports has recently introduced a new line of S.drive billet aluminum serpentine pulley systems for the Rat engines. This puts modern-day efficiency of a serpentine system on an old-school engine, freeing up a few ponies and eliminating the possibility of throwing a belt. The American-made, compact S.Drive system features pulleys and mounting brackets that are CNC-machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and incorporates provisions for an alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor. Kits are also offered for non-A/C and power steering vehicles if that is what you need.

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The S.Drive pulley systems include all of the necessary billet aluminum pulleys and stainless steel fasteners, as well as name-brand components. These include an Edelbrock water pump, Gates tensioner and six-rib serpentine belt, Maval power steering pump, Powermaster 105-amp alternator, and Sanden A/C compressor. Kits are available with a self-contained power steering pump with clip-on plastic reservoir or a remote pump that requires a reservoir and hydraulic lines (both sold separately). Kits with self-contained pumps for GM steering boxes come with the high-pressure power steering line and fitting. Lines for remote-reservoir and rack-and-pinion systems must be purchased separately.

The S.Drive systems can be ordered in multiple finishes, including polished, machined, or black. We picked up a black S.Drive with all the accessories, which set us back $2,275.00 for this ’71 El Camino. That’s not a bad price considering you get over $700 worth of new accessories like the alternator and water pump.

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Eddie Motorsports S.Drive - One-Belt Big-Block

1 The S.Drive pulley system comes complete and ready to install. EMS even includes the A/C compressor, alternator, power steering pump, and water pump, but these are not cheapo parts. They are all sourced from reputable companies like Edelbrock, Powermaster, Gates, and Sanden. The EMS crew pre-assembles the alternator and power steering pump to make installation even easier. All the pulleys and brackets are CNC-machined from 6061-T6 aluminum.

2 The S.Drive also comes with stainless steel hardware to hold everything to the block. There will be no need to run to the hardware store to pick up random bolts.

3 Since this is a complete system, everything will need to be removed from the face of the block and the water pump passages cleaned. It’s also a good idea to chase the threads with a 3/8-16 tap.

4 There are four mounting studs in the hardware package that will thread into the water pump holes. EMS provides two nuts that can be used as a double nut configuration to install the studs if they are not threading in by hand. EMS recommends putting a dab of sealant on the threads to prevent any leaks. After the studs are in, you can drop the O-rings into their channels and slip on the compressor and alternator brackets.

5 The EMS kit uses O-rings instead of gaskets. Here you can see one being placed into its channel on the compressor bracket. Not shown are the two O-rings installed on the backside of these brackets in the previous step.

6 All the stainless hardware that threads into aluminum, which is just about all of them, will need a light coat of anti-seize to prevent galling the threads.

7 Now the Edelbrock water pump can be slid over the studs and held on by the four (3/4x3-inch) spacer posts. Go ahead and tighten these down at this time

8 Install the power steering bracket using two 7/16-14x2-1/4-inch cap screws, again with more anti-seize. See the two smaller holes in the face of this bracket? These are the holes for the power steering hardware.

9 Now for the meat of the system: the main bracket. There are four M8x25mm cap screws that thread into the spacer posts. Just lightly snug these up for now. EMS uses metric fasteners here because the A/C compressor and alternator come with metric threads, and EMS wants everything to be consistent.

10 Install the power steering pump using two 5/16-18x3-inch cap screws through the face of the pulley. EMS warns not to start the motor until the power steering hoses, reservoir, fluid, etc., are installed and the system is bled. There is no warranty on pumps that are run dry, and they can tell so don’t do it. Like we mentioned before, EMS offers pumps for traditional steering boxes or rack-and-pinion-equipped cars.

11 Now the new Sanden A/C pump can be installed with the two M8x25mm bolts placed in the front of the compressor. As you can see, this a compact compressor that sits in front of the head so there will be no valve-cover clearance issues.

12 There is a specially machined shoulder bolt and washer that goes into the lower mounting hole.

13 The compressor cover is next and is held on with three 1/4-20x3/4 bolts. EMS recommends using a little dab of threadlocking compound to prevent these from backing out.

14 The new Powermaster 105-amp alternator has the new pulley already installed. All you need to do is thread in the M8x25mm and M10x80mm bolts. This new alternator is a one-wire design, so if your ride is anything different you will need to reconfigure the wiring to hook up this unit. If your project needs more juice, EMS offers a 140-amp alternator as an upgrade for only $27 more.

15 Install the water pump pulley using four 5/16-24x1/2-inch bolts with some thread-locking stuff. One thing to note is this system is made to be used with electric fans. There is no provision to mount an engine-driven fan, so keep that in mind when deciding on your build style.

16 The crank pulley is next. Three 3/8-16x1-inch bolts and Belleville washers hold it on. You can see in the inset image how the washers should be orientated. We were following the EMS directions but saw no reason why you can’t install this pulley first since it will be a bit easier without the water pump in the way.

17 The A/C compressor comes with a seal plate on top that needs to be removed. Be careful when removing the A/C seal plate as the compressor has a small amount of assembly/break-in oil in it and can make a mess.

18 EMS provides this new manifold, which puts the line hookups in a convenient position for hose fabrication. There are already O-rings in place under the plate removed previously, so all you need to do is install the manifold with the new hardware. Here is another warning from EMS: Do not connect power to the A/C clutch wire without hoses connected and the system charged. Serious damage will occur.

19 Speaking of lines, EMS provides this high-pressure line that has a feral fitting for simple hose fabrication. It simply installs on the high-pressure port and is sealed with two copper washers.

20 To provide the proper tension on the belt, EMS includes a Gates factory tensioner that mounts on the main bracket with one 3/8-16x2-1/4-inch bolt. Not shown is us routing the Gates six-rib belt and using a 1/2-inch drive ratchet to unload the tensioner to get the belt on.

21 After the belt is on, the cover can be installed with two 10-32x3/4-inch flat-head screws.

22 Here is the system once it’s completely installed. We will still need to make A/C and power steering lines and wire up the one wire alternator. The EMS S.Drive system is nice and compact, keeping all the accessories in front of the head. This means it doesn’t infringe on the valve covers, so you can run whatever you need to clear your valvetrain. The kit looks killer in all black but can also be ordered polished or in a machined finish.

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